<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the December
31, 1998 Consolidated  Balance Sheets and Consolidated  Statements of Operations
of Birmingham Steel Corporation and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000779334
<NAME>                        Birmingham Steel Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Jun-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   Dec-31-1998
<CASH>                                         1,090
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  91,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                   1,379
<INVENTORY>                                    207,798
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               326,298
<PP&E>                                         1,039,142
<DEPRECIATION>                                 245,585
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1,204,971
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,525
<BONDS>                                        53,500
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                          0
<PREFERRED>                                    0
<COMMON>                                       298
<OTHER-SE>                                     449,990
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1,204,971
<SALES>                                        226,853
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               226,853
<CGS>                                          212,103
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  212,103
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               8,979
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             8,583
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,830)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (2,864)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,966)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,966)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (0.17)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (0.17)